Canada launches negotiations toward deepening its trade partnership with the Pacific Alliance

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, welcomes the first round of free trade negotiations between Canada and the Pacific Alliance taking place from October 23 to 27, in Cali, Colombia.

October 22, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Canada is a trading nation. Canadians’ standard of living depends on robust international trade as a key driver of economic growth for a prosperous middle class. Canada’s strong and rules-based system is recognized the world over, and the Government of Canada is focusing on the Americas and the Pacific region as an opportunity to further diversify its trade and create opportunities for Canadian businesses and families. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, welcomes the first round of free trade negotiations between Canada and the Pacific Alliance taking place from October 23 to 27, in Cali, Colombia. A free trade agreement with the Pacific Alliance offers the prospect to modernize and streamline our existing bilateral agreements with all four Pacific Alliance countries, expand key aspects of these agreements, as well as include progressive trade elements, such as gender, labour, environment and SMEs. These free trade negotiations seek to confirm Canada as an Associated State of the Pacific Alliance. This is a strategic opportunity for Canada to advance its progressive and diversified trade agenda with key emerging markets, and sends a strong signal to the world on the importance of free trade to increase growth and prosperity.

Quotes

“On my recent trips to Chile, Colombia and Mexico, I was very excited by the untapped potential for trade between Canada and the Pacific Alliance countries, with their growing middle classes and open, market-driven economies. We share a goal of greater regional economic integration and freer, more progressive trade that can help create more middle class jobs and opportunities. This new step represents a strategic opportunity for Canada to advance its ambitious progressive and diversified trade agenda with important and like-minded emerging markets.”
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

Quick Facts

• The Pacific Alliance is a regional initiative founded in 2011 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru aimed at fostering the free movement of goods, services, capital and people among member countries.
• With a combined GDP of $2.3 trillion and a total population of more than 220 million, the Pacific Alliance represents a considerable market for Canada.
• Canada’s total merchandise trade with the Pacific Alliance was more than $48 billion in 2016. The four member countries account for more than 75 percent of Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with the whole Latin America region.

Associated Links

• International Trade Minister welcomes invitation by the Pacific Alliance to start negotiations to deepen trading relations with Latin America
• Joint declaration on a partnership between Canada and the members of the Pacific Alliance
• Canada and the Pacific Alliance